Examining Political Subjectivity Through the Truth Procedure in Ahmad Tohari’s Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk

Ahmad Tohari’s novel, Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk , portrays the struggle of the underclass of Dukuh Paruk in facing the political turmoil, particularly around the 1960s. The present study examines political subjectivity through the truth procedure in the novel. The research problems are answered by using a qualitative research method and post-Marxism as the critical approach. By applying a theory proposed by Alain Badiou, this study questions the role of Javanese women, represented by Srintil as the main character of the novel, in adapting to the rapid changes of the world. In Badiou’s philosophy, truth is not a static state but appears as a procedure—in which it can be seen for a passing moment as an event. The results of the analysis show that the Dukuh Paruk community experiences an event of political propaganda which, eventually, leads to independence of the working class. Due to the incorporation, Srintil as a ronggeng (a local traditional dancer) who plays an essential role in the center of the community is subjectivated to become a reactive subject, one who denies the event of truth.